Alligator attack

last updated 8 January 2015

Sanibel, Fla.

A Florida woman died last week two days after being mauled by a 12-foot alligator. Janie Melsek, a professional landscaper, was trimming a tree on Sanibel Island when the 457-pound reptile took her in its jaws and dragged her into a pond. A neighbor rushed to help, and held Melsek’s head above water until three police officers could wrestle her free. “It was kind of a tug of war,” said the neighbor, Jim Anholt. Doctors amputated Melsek’s right arm, which the alligator had nearly torn off. Melsek, 54, died during another operation to treat infections caused by the vicious bites. A police officer shot and killed the alligator. Wildlife experts say attacks by alligators are rare, since they normally shy away from humans.